COMMENSAL STAPHYLOCOCCUS SPP. FROM DOGS AND CATS AS RESERVOIRS OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE GENES IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL: A PRELIMINARY SURVEY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/revgeov16n5-152Keywords:
Staphylococcus spp, Companion Animals, Resistance Genes, One HealthAbstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in commensal microorganisms from companion animals represents a growing challenge within the One Health framework, as the close coexistence between pets and humans facilitates the circulation of resistance genes across species. This study aimed to characterize Staphylococcus spp. isolated from the oropharynx of dogs and cats attended at veterinary clinics in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, focusing on both phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles. Oropharyngeal samples from 20 animals (13 dogs and 7 cats) were cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar, and isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the disk diffusion method, and resistance genes were screened by PCR. Eleven Staphylococcus isolates were identified, including S. aureus (n=2), S. felis (n=2), S. sciuri (n=2), S. warneri (n=2), S. haemolyticus (n=1), S. nepalensis (n=1), and S. simulans (n=1). Erythromycin resistance predominated (6/11; 54.5%), and all resistant isolates exhibited inducible clindamycin resistance (D-test positive). The blaZ, norA, norC, and tet(38) genes were detected, while mecA and mecC were absent. These findings demonstrate the genetic diversity of Staphylococcus spp. colonizing the oropharynx of dogs and cats and reveal the silent circulation of antimicrobial resistance determinants in companion animals. The results reinforce the need for integrated AMR surveillance connecting human, animal, and environmental health sectors to prevent the dissemination of resistance within the One Health continuum.
Downloads
References
Abdullahi, I. N., & et al. (2022). Nasal Staphylococcus aureus and S. pseudintermedius carriage in healthy dogs and cats: A systematic review of their antibiotic resistance, virulence and genetic lineages of zoonotic relevance. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 133(6), 3368–3390. https://doi.org/10.1093/jambio/lxac062
Alcântara, L. P., & et al. (2023). Antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from felids and canids in Belo Horizonte Zoo, Brazil. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 54(3), 575–582. https://doi.org/10.1638/2022-0128
Bello-López, J. M., Cabrera-Maldonado, C., & Castro-Escarpulli, G. (2019). Transferência horizontal de genes e sua associação com a resistência a antibióticos no gênero Aeromonas. Revista Latinoamericana de Microbiología, 60(1), 34–41. https://doi.org/10.26749/rlm.2019.60.1.5
Burke, M., & Santoro, D. (2023). Prevalence of multidrug-resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci in canine and feline dermatological patients over a 10-year period: A retrospective study. Microbiology, 169(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001392
Caddey, B., & et al. (2025). Companions in antimicrobial resistance: Examining transmission of common antimicrobial-resistant organisms between people and their dogs, cats, and horses. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 38(1), Article e00146-22. https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.00146-22
Clark, A. E., Kaleta, E. J., Arora, A., & Wolk, D. M. (2013). Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry: A fundamental shift in the routine practice of clinical microbiology. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 26(3), 547–603. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.00072-12
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. (2020). Performance standards for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (29th ed., CLSI supplement M100). https://clsi.org/media/3486/clsi_astnewsupdate_january2020.pdf
Delialioglu, N., & et al. (2005). Inducible clindamycin resistance in staphylococci isolated from clinical samples. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 55(4), 479–481. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dki024
Fan, H. H., Kleven, S. H., & Jackwood, M. W. (1995). Application of polymerase chain reaction with arbitrary primers to strain identification of Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Avian Diseases, 39(4), 729–735.
Guardabassi, L. (2016). Antibiotic resistance in companion animals. Veterinary Microbiology, 187, 3–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2016.03.007
Guo, D., & et al. (2023). Staphylococcus aureus infections in companion animals: A global perspective. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 61(2), Article e01457-22. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.01457-22
Lax, S., & et al. (2014). Longitudinal analysis of microbial interactions in the built environment. Science Advances, 1(1), Article e1400329. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1400329
Leite, D. P. S. B. M., & et al. (2023). Occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Brazilian veterinary hospital environment. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 54, 209–219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-022-00856-0
Marco-Fuertes, A., & et al. (2024). Multidrug-resistant commensal and infection-causing Staphylococcus spp. isolated from companion animals in the Valencia region. Veterinary Sciences, 11(2), Article 3554. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11020355
Nakagawa, S., & et al. (2005). Gene sequences and specific detection for Panton-Valentine leukocidin. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 328(3), 965–970. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.01.054
Nocera, F. P., & et al. (2021). On Gram-positive- and Gram-negative-bacteria-associated canine and feline skin infections: A 4-year retrospective study of the University Veterinary Microbiology Diagnostic Laboratory of Naples, Italy. Animals, 11(6), Article 1603. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061603
O’Neill, J. (2014). Antimicrobial resistance: Tackling a crisis for the health and wealth of nations. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. https://amr-review.org/sites/default/files/AMR%20Review%20Paper%20-%20Tackling%20a%20crisis%20for%20the%20health%20and%20wealth%20of%20nations_1.pdf
Paterson, G. K., & et al. (2012). The newly described mecA homologue, mecALGA251, is present in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from a diverse range of host species. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 67(12), 2809–2813. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dks329
Phumthanakorn, N., & et al. (2022). Frequency, distribution, and antimicrobial resistance of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from clinical samples in dogs and cats. Microbial Drug Resistance, 28(2), 236–243. https://doi.org/10.1089/mdr.2021.0275
Sampaio, J. R. (1995). Estatística aplicada à pesquisa (2a ed.). Pioneira.
Sawant, A., Gillespie, B., & Oliver, S. (2009). Antimicrobial susceptibility of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species isolated from bovine milk. Veterinary Microbiology, 134(1–2), 73–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2008.09.006
Souza, T. G. V., & et al. (2024). Occurrence, genetic diversity, and antimicrobial resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. in hospitalized and non-hospitalized cats in Brazil. PLoS ONE, 19(3), Article e0283320. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283320
Truong-Bolduc, Q. C., Zhang, X., & Hooper, D. C. (2003). Characterization of NorR protein, a multifunctional regulator of norA expression in Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Bacteriology, 185(10), 3127–3138. https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.185.10.3127-3138.2003
Truong-Bolduc, Q. C., & et al. (2005). MgrA is a multiple regulator of two new efflux pumps in Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Bacteriology, 187(7), 2395–2405. https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.187.7.2395-2405.2005
Truong-Bolduc, Q. C., Strahilevitz, J., & Hooper, D. C. (2006). NorC, a new efflux pump regulated by MgrA of Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 50(3), 1104–1107. https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.50.3.1104-1107.2006
World Health Organization. (2021). Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance. World Health Organization.
